May 28, 2011
Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) excessive cost-cutting scheme has been behind the triggering of minor accidents and careless mistakes over the years. Last year alone, three shutdowns took place at the Fukushima Daiichi station.
Akahata on May 28 reported that the shutdowns occurred on June 17, September 2, and November 2 in 2010.
TEPCO reduced its repair and maintenance budget, which includes expenses for maintenance of electric power equipment, to 373.9 billion yen in 2010 from the 2001 level of 548.5 billion yen. The company has cut costs through various measures such as the extension of the interval periods between regular inspections from 12 months to 24 months.
On January 13, just before the latest accident occurred at the Fukushima plant, TEPCO decided to lengthen the regular inspection cycle of No.2 and No.3 reactors by three months to a 16-month interval.
This clearly shows that the nuclear power operator has sacrificed safety to save money.
Nishizawa Toshio, TEPCO’s managing director and president-elect, at a news conference on May 20 said that the company will implement further cost-cutting measures in order to “assure adequate payment” of compensation for the Fukushima accident. He also indicated that TEPCO will continue to decrease the repair and maintenance budget in its overall budget for the next business year.
TEPCO’s cost-cutting efforts include job cuts and a reduction in wages and bonuses of its rank-and-file employees. It is unreasonable that TEPCO leaves its employees worse off.
If TEPCO stresses the need to secure funds to compensate for damages, it should use its internal reserve funds. In addition, TEPCO’s shareholders and financing banks should also be to blame for the accident.
Akahata on May 28 reported that the shutdowns occurred on June 17, September 2, and November 2 in 2010.
TEPCO reduced its repair and maintenance budget, which includes expenses for maintenance of electric power equipment, to 373.9 billion yen in 2010 from the 2001 level of 548.5 billion yen. The company has cut costs through various measures such as the extension of the interval periods between regular inspections from 12 months to 24 months.
On January 13, just before the latest accident occurred at the Fukushima plant, TEPCO decided to lengthen the regular inspection cycle of No.2 and No.3 reactors by three months to a 16-month interval.
This clearly shows that the nuclear power operator has sacrificed safety to save money.
Nishizawa Toshio, TEPCO’s managing director and president-elect, at a news conference on May 20 said that the company will implement further cost-cutting measures in order to “assure adequate payment” of compensation for the Fukushima accident. He also indicated that TEPCO will continue to decrease the repair and maintenance budget in its overall budget for the next business year.
TEPCO’s cost-cutting efforts include job cuts and a reduction in wages and bonuses of its rank-and-file employees. It is unreasonable that TEPCO leaves its employees worse off.
If TEPCO stresses the need to secure funds to compensate for damages, it should use its internal reserve funds. In addition, TEPCO’s shareholders and financing banks should also be to blame for the accident.
